Those whom value a bright, well-lit kitchen have long sought out white marble or quartz countertops due to their mellow, soft white hues. These are classic go-to choices to the point of having become something of a cliché over time.
The result of these – bright, reflective yet not excessive warm kitchen motifs or excellent contrast in darker schemes – can’t be argued against though. However, in recent times, people have been seeking more varied, distinct stones to fill this niche, chief among them being white granite.
A lot of people don’t realize that granite even comes in this color, the stereotypical image of granite being the brown/gold varieties which, to most people, actually have a reddish hue with most grain patterns.
In truth, most of the time, when people see white granite, they assume it’s a particularly striking variety of white marble, given the superficial similarities the two types of stone kind of have (though never make that claim around a stoneworker).
Why are people seeking this underappreciated material over classic white marble or quartzite? What makes granite white in the first place? Today, we’re going to take a look at white granite, and what it can do for your kitchen’s personality.
Why is it white?
Stone materials like granite and marble get their color, texture and graining from the compounds that comprise them of course. In the case of white granite, this is a mix of feldspar (sharp white), quartz (a milkier white) and amphibole (the black speckles or veins).
The ratios of these compounds produce a wide variety of white granites, though a pure white granite with no grain does not exist (this would be pure feldspar or pure quartz, neither of which serves well as a counter top anyhow).
White Granite – Black and Grey
Like black granites, most white granites aren’t really that strikingly white, though they do have a softer, brighter appearance than gold or grey granites. These tend to be the ones most mistaken for marble. Alaska white, for example, has a smooth, almost banded-cloud appearance of black and gray streaking through it, where Bianco Romano has a speckled combination of transparent, white and black/gray grain through it.
There are a variety of these banded and speckled black and gray white granites, with some quite striking and distinct personalities. These are the more neutral white granites, mixing well with just about any kitchen motif and color scheme readily.
White Granite – Brown and Burgundy
You don’t see brown and burgundy white granite as often, mainly due to it being less neutral (and ergo going with more select motifs). They’re in fact quite attractive and work, going well with wooden cabinets, ceramic earthen tile floors and softer-lit ambience.
They really tie a more rustic looking kitchen together, bringing out the warmth of wood and ceramics in a way colder, more neutral granites cannot. These are generally called Bordeaux granites and there are quite a few varieties to choose from.
White Granite – Gray, Black and Blue
Some gray and black white granites also contain some blue hues. These are fairly neutral, and are a way to achieve a “matches anything” appearance while still adding a splash of color and texture. These tend to have a sharper contrast and variety to their grain. A prime example is Ice White, which has become more popular recently.
These match well with kitchens containing a lot of brushed steel or brass as well.
White Granite – Gray and Green
Monte Cristo granite is a unique style mixing gray and green with unique veins and graining. This is a sharply contrasting granite, which adds, yes, a bit of a European flavor to kitchens trying to achieve such a motif. They’re warm and inviting, but have been known to drive some people crazy due to kind of looking fractured at first glance.
Pricing and Conclusion
White granites are indeed pricier, higher-grade granites. This is why they’re less common than brown/gold or even black granites. This is partly due to how hard their material is (quartz, a big component, is tough stuff) to cut and quarry. Its popularity, compared to white marble, also means insufficient demand raises its price somewhat.
It’s coming down in price as it grows in popularity, though.
White granite, while not cheap, is a durable, diverse set of granite families that can work well with softly-lit kitchens to add texture and balance, bring contrast to sharply-colored kitchens, or compliment warm, rustic kitchens with great ease.
Being easy to clean and a somewhat timeless material, they’re a safe choice that can also be bold. To learn more about the many varieties of white granite, as well as the other families of this stone, fill out the contact form below!
